Articles tagged with Opioids
A study by Christina Andrews and her team found substantial variation in prior authorization use among different states and plan types. For-profit plans and those located in Republican-majority states were more likely to impose prior authorization policies, restricting access to life-saving treatment buprenorphine.
Researchers found that counties with higher uninsured rates and reduced access to mental health services have higher opioid prescriptions. Conversely, better healthcare quality was associated with a greater drop in opioid prescriptions over time.
Researchers at Medical University of South Carolina found that patients who received N-acetylcysteine (NAC) during spinal surgery reported lower pain scores and requested fewer opioids. This could lead to a reduction in opioid use after surgery, a crucial step towards minimizing addictive potential.
Physicians who received notifications with additional planning guidance reduced prescriptions of opioids by nearly 13% and prescriptions of the anxiety medication benzodiazepines by more than 8%. The study suggests that providing physicians a simple plan to guide them at patient visits can help temper their use of these drugs.
Research found a significant increase in cardiovascular disease deaths related to substance use, particularly among young adults and certain racial and ethnic groups. The study highlights the need for comprehensive public health efforts to address substance use and its impact on heart health.
A new study found that only about half of residential addiction treatment facilities for adolescents have a bed immediately available, with the average daily cost per day of treatment being $878. The study also revealed that only seven states have a facility that accepts Medicaid, has a bed open the same day, and offers buprenorphine.
Only 4.1% of hospital encounters for opioid overdoses led to opioid agonist therapy (OAT) initiation within a week of discharge from hospital, highlighting missed opportunities to prevent future mortality and morbidity related to opioid use disorder. Studies show that prompt OAT initiation in the emergency department is crucial to redu...
A new study found that deaths from infective endocarditis decreased overall in the US, but rose sharply among people ages 25-44, likely linked to the opioid crisis. Researchers call for more investigation into the trends and recommend comprehensive care plans including substance use disorder screening and treatment.
The University of Maryland School of Medicine has received a $29 million NIH grant to conduct a multicenter trial testing interventions to improve health outcomes in people who inject opioid drugs and are hospitalized with infectious complications. The study aims to reduce rehospitalizations and lower complications from infections.
A Rutgers study found that mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) can improve women's emotion regulation and impulse control, reducing opioid cravings. The program boosted communication between brain areas involved in controlling negative emotions and drug cravings.
Post-surgery pain relief has shifted away from opioids since 2016, with a 36% drop in prescription rates and 46% decrease in average amount of opioids. However, the rate of decline slowed after 2020, suggesting ongoing efforts are needed to right-size prescribing.
Opioid prescribing rates from US surgeons decreased between 2016 and 2022, but rebounded after the COVID-19 pandemic. Larger prescription sizes were observed during the pandemic due to refills being difficult to obtain.
A randomized clinical trial found that Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) plus usual care significantly decreased drug use, pain, and depression in individuals with opioid use disorder and chronic pain. Participants who received MORE also showed increased methadone treatment retention and adherence.
A new study by Columbia University researchers indicates that patients with expanded methadone access during the COVID pandemic are not more likely to overdose or drop out of care. The findings suggest that more flexible policies could help improve access to this life-saving treatment and close gaps in care.
A 20-year Australian study found no evidence that cannabis reduces illicit opioid use, and its effectiveness in managing opioid crisis is uncertain. The researchers suggest that clinicians and policymakers should exercise caution when relying on cannabis as a solution.
A new study will compare two treatment regimens: one using non-opioid medication and another with a low-dose opioid to determine the safest and most effective way to treat pain in adolescents and young adults recovering from common outpatient surgeries. The CARES for Kids study aims to generate evidence-based information on this topic.
A new pill-sized device has been developed to monitor vital signs like breathing and heart rate from inside humans. The device, known as the VM Pill, was tested in a clinical trial and showed accurate results in detecting breathing stops and monitoring respiration rates with high accuracy.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that younger patients and those with no prior experience with opioids are more likely to use few or no opioids after surgery. The researchers used data collected through automated text messages sent to 3,600 patients who underwent common surgical procedures.
A Rutgers study found that states with legalized medical marijuana experience a 0.5 to 1.5 percentage point decrease in regular nonmedical prescription opioid use among people who reported using opioids in the previous year. However, this reduction is concentrated in individuals with cannabis addiction, highlighting the need for compre...
A study by Brown University researchers found that government-sanctioned overdose prevention centers in New York City were not associated with a significant increase in crime. The analysis of five administrative datasets showed no changes in violent crimes, property crimes, or calls for emergency services in the surrounding neighborhoods.
Researchers adapted a COVID-19 collaboration to monitor near-real-time trends in substance use-related hospital and emergency department visits. Detailed data shows large increases in methamphetamine- and opioid-involved hospital and ED visits among Native American, Black, and multiple-race populations.
A new non-invasive pain management device has been shown to reduce opioid use after childbirth by nearly half. The study, conducted at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, found that the device was effective in managing post-cesarean pain without the need for opioids.
A recent study found that transmucosal dose of buprenorphine followed by extended-release buprenorphine injection significantly reduced Clinical Opioid Withdrawal Scale scores in individuals using fentanyl. This rapid treatment strategy may be an important potential option for addressing the growing opioid crisis.
Researchers developed injectable nanoparticles that release naloxone when triggered by blue light, potentially preventing opioid overdose deaths. The system showed effectiveness up to a month after injection and could be incorporated into a wearable device.
A new conceptual model distinguishes between malleable and unmalleable factors, as well as pre- and post-diagnosis factors, to identify patients at risk of chemical coping with opioids. The model recommends universal screening, patient education, and mental health care to mitigate overdoses and deaths.
A new study shows a significant decline in dental opioid prescriptions, with 45% fewer opioids dispensed between 2016 and 2022. However, progress slowed significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may be attributed to dentists being more cautious due to limited follow-up appointments.
A University of Missouri study found that opioid-dependent mothers experience stigma, leading to withdrawal from healthcare and negative outcomes for their infants. The research highlights the need for compassionate support and education to promote better health outcomes.
A three-year USDA grant will train healthcare and social workers in five high-risk rural Missouri counties to address childhood trauma and reduce opioid overdoses. The training covers topics such as ACEs, positive childhood experiences, and trauma-informed care.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies found 10 predictors of opioid overdose after prescription for chronic pain, including high-dose opioids, fentanyl prescription, and history of overdose. The risk of fatal and nonfatal overdose increased two- to six-fold with these factors.
A randomized clinical trial found that high-frequency electrical stimulation device reduced opioid use and prescribed opioids after cesarean delivery, suggesting a potential adjunct to decrease opioid use without compromising pain control.
A new study found that racial and ethnic disparities persist in access to chiropractic care and physical rehabilitation for adults with low back pain, with Hispanic adults being less likely to use these services. The study also found that policy changes are needed to address these gaps in access, particularly in underserved communities.
Starting buprenorphine treatment via telehealth was associated with higher treatment retention rates compared to non-telehealth settings. The study found that 48% of Kentucky patients and 32% of Ohio patients remained in treatment for 90 continuous days after starting telehealth-based care.
A new study found that people experiencing homelessness accounted for one in six fatal opioid-related deaths in Ontario, reaching 16.8% by 2021. The quarterly proportion of opioid-related overdose deaths among unhoused individuals increased from 7.2% to 16.8% over four years.
Patients from racial and ethnic minority groups receive inadequate pain treatment in the prehospital setting, according to a study of over 4.7 million encounters across the US. The results suggest a significant disparity in pain management practices based on race and ethnicity.
A new study published in JAMA Health Forum shows that implementing a five-day limit on opioid prescriptions for surgery patients did not lead to increased pain levels or decreased satisfaction. However, the amount of opioid pills patients received dropped significantly after the limit went into effect.
A new study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology found that birthing people who died during pregnancy or postpartum had received significant amounts of hospital care. The study identified factors such as severe maternal morbidity, opioid use, and prior hospitalization as linked to pregnancy-associated deaths.
A new RAND Corporation study reveals that drug overdose deaths have surged among Americans without a college education, nearly doubling over a three-year period. The findings highlight the potential association between the rise in overdose deaths and barriers to education access, a social determinant of health.
Rates of opioid prescribing to US adolescents have decreased in recent years, mainly for non-surgical procedures. Opioid prescribing for surgical indications has remained relatively stable during the same period. This analysis of Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys data from 2015-2020 reveals a significant shift in prescribing patterns.
A recent study by University of Cincinnati researchers found that a community-wide naloxone distribution program did not significantly reduce opioid overdose deaths. The study, which ran from 2017 to 2019, saw no significant change in median monthly opioid overdose rates despite widespread availability of the medication.
Researchers surveyed patients undergoing elective surgeries and found that reducing opioid prescriptions led to higher patient satisfaction with pain management. The study's results were used to develop evidence-based guidelines for prescribing opioids after surgery, aiming to balance managing pain and opioid use.
Researchers at University of Chicago identified a new pain relief pathway in the brain that produces powerful analgesic effects without tolerance or addictive risks. Targeting acetylcholine receptors, particularly alpha-7, offers a promising path to developing non-opioid painkillers.
Patients prescribed higher doses of buprenorphine (24mg) were more likely to stay in treatment for longer periods compared to those on lower doses (16mg). Higher doses may help address the challenges posed by fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid.
The study of 6,499 patients suggests that higher buprenorphine doses can reduce time to discontinuation. This finding challenges current recommended dosages for improving treatment retention.
A study by researchers at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine found that thoracic surgeons who treat lung cancer are helping to reduce patients' risk of opioid dependence. The ERATS protocol, which includes intercostal nerve blocks and safe pain relievers, enables earlier hospital discharge with nearly opioid-free recovery.
Researchers found that half of patients need only five tablets or fewer of morphine to manage acute pain, varying by condition. The study aims to adapt opioid prescriptions according to patient need and reduce long-term misuse.
New research from Boston Medical Center's Grayken Center for Addiction found that municipalities offering wide-ranging social services to overdose survivors saw a 21% decrease in fatal overdoses. The study suggests connections to housing, food, employment, and transportation may be key to successful post-overdose outreach programs.
An economic evaluation of extended-release buprenorphine found it was not an efficient allocation of resources when transmucosal buprenorphine was available. The study suggests improving retention rates or decreasing costs associated with extended-release buprenorphine to improve treatment outcomes.
A study of Medicare beneficiaries with chronic low back pain and opioid use disorder found that physical therapy and chiropractic care were underutilized, particularly among minority groups. The findings underscore the importance of addressing inequities in pain management to improve health outcomes.
Palliative care and addiction experts agree that clinicians should increase monitoring and continue opioids without tapering in patients with advanced cancer who use stimulants. This approach prioritizes pain control and allows for individualized harm-reduction strategies.
A new study suggests that treating insomnia can prevent opioid relapse in rats, and potentially in humans. The experimental insomnia drug DORA-12 reduced withdrawal symptoms and prevented drug-seeking behavior in rats experiencing oxycodone withdrawal.
Researchers at MD Anderson successfully reduced inpatient opioid use by 50% and median prescription volumes to zero after pancreatic cancer surgery. This approach achieved effective pain control for patients without increasing the risk of opioid dependence.
A study by University of Kansas and Georgetown University found that facilities with more religious orientation offered a wider range of services and were located in racially diverse communities. This can help service providers make better referrals and provide a roadmap for other communities to better understand their substance use se...
The American Dental Association has released a new clinical practice guideline recommending the use of acetaminophen and/or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as first-line treatments for managing short-term dental pain in children under 12. The guideline has been endorsed by the American Dental Association.
The series emphasizes the importance of anesthesiologists in addressing unmet needs of patients with Substance Use Disorder (SUDs) in the perioperative period. Anesthesiologists are urged to adopt a broader approach to effective disease management, incorporating trauma-informed patient care and increased collaboration with addiction me...
A Rutgers-led study found that improving prison reentry programs for highest-risk users can help reduce opioid overdose deaths in the US. Strengthening healthcare services, such as psychiatric medication and syringe services, is crucial to engage individuals in opioid use treatment after release.
A randomized clinical trial found that a preoperative augmented reality walkthrough decreased preoperative anxiety compared to traditional education and handouts. However, there was no significant impact on postoperative anxiety, pain levels, or narcotic use in patients undergoing surgery.
A French study found that recreational drug use was associated with a nearly 9-fold higher rate of death or need for emergency intervention in cardiac intensive care patients. The study detected various substances in 1 in 10 patients, with cannabis being the most frequently detected substance.
Chronic pain patients who take opioids need access to gold-standard multi-modal pain care, including physical therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and integrative medicine techniques. The experts recommend restructuring insurance models, enhancing provider education, and addressing racial inequities in care.
Most adults commencing treatment with prescription opioids had relatively low and time-limited opioid exposure over a 5-year period. Individuals with sustained or increasing use were older with more comorbidities, reflecting higher pain needs.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open shows that methadone use following surgery in infants can increase hospital stay and delay recovery. Babies who required methadone needed to stay in the hospital an average of 21 days longer after surgery, as well as more days on ventilators and IV nutrition.